S&W 340PD titanium cylinder issues?

This is a discussion on S&W 340PD titanium cylinder issues? within the Defensive Carry Guns forums, part of the Defensive Carry Discussions category; I'm looking at buying a used S&W 340PD it has the titanium cylinder,I've heard about something called cylinder erosion with these guns. What it this ...

S&W 340PD titanium cylinder issues?

I'm looking at buying a used S&W 340PD it has the titanium cylinder,I've heard about something called cylinder erosion with these guns. What it this exactly and what causes it? Does it have anything to do with the "no less than 120GR bullet" warning printed on the barrel? By the way its like new in box condition and also has the crimson trace 405's on it and they're asking $600,I know this is great deal for this gun but I'm worried about the Titanium cylinder giving my issues,thanks for any help.

Most of these revolvers do not have a lot of rounds through them due to the sometimes vicious recoil. I can handle about 3 cylinders in a range session before my hand goes numb. Smith and Wesson has a great warranty, if there is ever any problem you can send it back to Smith and they will make it right. Go for it.

I love mine, has about 500 rounds thru it, mostly 38s. It does have a warning about using anything agressive on the cylinder when cleaning. I have had good luck with mine. But it is nasty to shoot. Great to carry.

Also using lighter weight bullets with the heavy recoil will cause the remaining ones in the cylinder to back out of their casing a bit and not allow you to fire as the cylinder cannot rotate. Heavier bullets and those with a deep crimp don't have that problem.

the warning on the barrel applies only to .357 mag. You can use lighter weight 38 special.

the cylinder will erode if you use light bullets less then 120 grain. They have been around for years and years. I have heard of 2 KB on the net involving scandium frames out of the thousands sold.

Here are some pics of what happens if you where to disobey the warnings in the manual (sanding on cylinder and using hot 110gr .357 mag loads) note the idiot using 110gr .357... This was on the smith forums a long time ago

340PD in .357 is regrettable and painful but WOW kinda fun in a sick masochistic way. I made it through two cyliner loads and handed it back to its owner with my trigger nuckle bleeding and laughing the whole time. HAND CANNON! I still want one though

I have had mine for a few months now.. Shoot the short barrel .357 loads from speer as my SD load (They are like 38++P loads not bad at all).. Practice with 38's and full load .357's not bad with the full CT grips..

But I have been having some issues. The shells fall out fine with 38's and my defensive .357 loads.. but when I shoot full .357's loads the shells are stuck in the cylinder. I push the rod and they come out 1/2 way but still are stuck and I have to pull them out with my hand. Anyone else have this issue? I am thinking possibly the heat is expanding the titanium cylinder and when it goes boom the brass is expanding and getting stuck? Or is my cylinder out of spec?